This fine example of the coveted model was the third 300S ordered by the great American collector, Briggs Swift Cunningham, for his old friend and team driver Bill Spear. Upon delivery 3053 was co-driven by Bill Spear and Sherwood Johnston in the 1955 Sebring 12-Hours race, the American round of the FIA Sports Car World Championship. They enjoyed a fine debut, finishing third, beaten only by a Phil Hill- driven Ferrari and the winning Mike Hawthorn Jaguar D-Type.

After racing 3053 widely throughout the USA, Bill Spear sold the car in 1956 to Joe Giubardo of Valley Stream, Long Island, who owned the car until 1964. Subsequently preserved by prominent Maserati authority Joel Eric Finn, 3053 was acquired by leading German Maseratisto Dr Thomas Bscher in 1986. After some twenty years in his care  during which it was maintained in highly original order while being campaigned successfully in historic racing  the car passed from Dr Bscher to its present vendor.

Such premium-grade Maserati 300S sports-racing cars are very rarely offered for sale by public auction. The appearance of 3053 here as one of the star lots in the Bonhams 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale is certain to generate worldwide interest.

James Knight, Bonhams Group Motoring Director, said: In collecting terms, sports- racing cars of the 1950s are the most coveted of all. The competition between the great marques from this period  Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati  is as fierce today as it was then. The Maserati 300S is right up there among the greats. A car equally at home on road or track, offering impeccable handling and  crucially  able to accommodate two in comfort, it is the perfect all-rounder and eligible for all the great historic events, including the Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic and Goodwood Revival.